Sound Absorption and Diffusion by 2D Arrays of Helmholtz Resonators

We report a theoretical and experimental study of an array of Helmholtz resonators optimized to achieve both efficient sound absorption and diffusion. The analysis starts with a simplified 1D model where the plane wave approximation is used to design an array of resonators showing perfect absorption for a targeted range of frequencies. The absorption is optimized by tuning the geometry of the resonators, i.e., by tuning the viscothermal losses of each element. Experiments with the 1D array were performed in an impedance tube. The designed system is extended to 2D by periodically replicating the 1D array. The 2D system has been numerically modeled and experimentally tested in an anechoic chamber. It preserves the absorption properties of the 1D system and introduces efficient diffusion at higher frequencies due to the joint effect of resonances and multiple scattering inside the discrete 2D structure. The combined effect of sound absorption at low frequencies and sound diffusion at higher frequencies, may play a relevant role in the design of noise reduction systems for different applications.